ALGEBRA SEMINAR

“A brIef hIstory of class number”

by

Ömer Küçüksakallı

(ODTÜ)

Abstract: The class number is an important invariant in algebraic number theory. Its history can be traced back to Fermat, who made a speculation about some integers of the form x^2 + 5y^2. Prime numbers represented by quadratic forms x^2 + ny^2 are closely related with the class number of Q(sqrt(-n)). Many great mathematicians (Euler, Lagrange, Legendre, Gauss, Dirichlet, Dedekind, Hilbert, ...) have made contributions to this classification problem. In this talk we will give a brief history of class number by focusing on related works of these mathematicians.

Date : May 7, 2010 (Friday)

Time : 13.40-14.30

Place: Seminar Room SA-141